Sick crew blamed for 13 hour wait on Jetstar flight from Bali

Jetstar passengers were left waiting in Bali for 13 hours. Photo / 123RF

A Jetstar flight from Bali to Darwin has been delayed by about 13 hours after a crew member called in sick.

An airline spokeswoman said the delay was caused by an unwell crew member.

"One of the crew members rostered on our flight from Bali to Darwin early this morning was unwell and unfortunately unable to operate on the service," she said.

"Before check-in for the flight opened we sent an email and text to the contact details provided by the customers, and have provided hotels today during the delay on the flight."

However, the passenger who spoke to the NT News said he didn't ever receive a notification.

"If they did, it failed," he said.

"Jetstar are full of s**t."

Passengers arrived at the airport to be told the flight would not be departing for a number of hours, but were given no reason as to why.

One passenger told the NT News he was meant to be travelling back to start back at work today, after spending a week in Bali with his partner and a group of schoolie students.

"Most people were annoyed actually," he said.

"The majority of passengers were put up at Airport Novotel.

"It was the inconvenience of travelling to the airport and Jetstar sending no notification of any description. No text. No email."

However, he said the hotel had dealt with the issue well.

"Novotel staff were excellent and handled the late arrivals very well," the passenger said.
"Most were checked in by midnight."

The flight was scheduled to depart Denpasar at 1am local time and arrive in Darwin at 5am local time.

It is now not expected to land in the Top End until 6pm.